Phenylsulphonamide derivatives, anti-arrhythymic compositions and use

ABSTRACT

Pharmaceutical compositions which comprise a compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## or a salt thereof wherein NR 2  represents a piperidyl, pyrrolidyl, morpholino or N-methyl-piperazyl group any of which may substituted by one or two methyl groups; R 1  represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, lower alkoxyl, hydroxyl, acetoxyl, nitro, cyano, amino, dimethylamino, lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl, methylthio, ethylthio, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, acetamido or carboxamido; R 2  represents hydrogen, flurorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, lower alkoxyl, hydroxyl, lower alkyl; R 3  represents hydrogen, chlorine or lower alkyl; or R 1  and R 2  when on adjacent carbon atoms may together represent a polymethylene group containing from 3 to 5 carbon atoms; and n is 2, 3 or 4; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, compounds of formula (I) except those wherein R 1  is a 2-methoxyl group, and 2,4-dimethyl-1-[2-(4-bromophenylsulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidine and 2,4-dimethyl-1-[2-(4-bromophenylsulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidine, a process for the preparation of compounds of the formula (I) and 2,4-dimethyl-1-[2-(4-bromophenylsulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidine and 2,4-dimethyl-1-[2-(4-iodophenylsulphonamido) ethyl]pyrrolidine as anti-arrhythymic agents.

CROSS REFERENCE

This is a continuation of Ser. No. 477,071 filed Mar. 21, 1983, abandoned, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 348,212 filed Feb. 12, 1982, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,622, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 148,140 filed May 9, 1980 and now abandoned.

Various sulphonamides are known as chemical curiosities [see for example Braun et al, Annalen, 445, 253 (1925) or Curwain et al, J. Med. Chem., 14, 737 (1971)] or as pharmaceutically active agents [see for example West German Patent Application No. 2623447, which relates to local anaesthetics, West German Patent Application No. 2710047 which relates to anti-anginal compounds, and West German Patent Application No. 2545496 which relates to platelet aggregation inhibitors].

However, none of these known sulphonamides have been reported as anti-arrhythmic agents. It is desirable to provide anti-arrhythmic agents possessing low acute toxicity. A group of such compounds has now been found.

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of the formula (I): ##STR2## or a salt thereof wherein NR₂ represents a piperidyl, pyrrolidyl, morpholino or N-methyl piperazyl group, any of which may substituted by one or two methyl groups; R¹ represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, lower alkoxyl, hydroxyl, acetoxyl, nitro, cyano, amino, dimethylamino, lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl, methylthio, ethylthio, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, acetamido or carboxamido; R² represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, lower alkoxyl, hydroxyl, lower alkyl; R³ represents hydrogen, chlorine or lower alkyl; or R¹ and R² when on adjacent carbon atoms may together represent a polymethylene group containing from 3 to 5 carbon atoms; and n is 2, 3 or 4; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

When used herein lower alkyl means 1 to 4 carbon atoms and more suitably means 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably one carbon atom.

Apt values for NR₂ include piperidyl, 2-methylpiperidyl 2,6-dimethylpiperidyl, pyrrolidyl, 2-methylpyrrolidyl, 3-methylpyrrolidyl, 2,3-dimethylpyrrolidyl, 2,4-dimethylpyrrolidyl, 2,5-dimethylpyrrolidyl, morpholino and N-methylpiperazyl.

Favoured values for NR₂ include the 2,6-dimethylpiperidyl, pyrrolidyl, 2,4- and 2,5-dimethylpyrrolidyl N-methylpiperazyl and morpholino groups, more favourably the 2,4- and 2,5-dimethylpyrrolidyl groups. Preferably the dimethylpyrrolidyl groups are in the form of their cis isomers. A highly favoured value for NR₂ is the cis-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidyl group.

From the foregoing it will be realised that certain suitable compounds in the compositions of this invention include those of the formulae (II) to (VII). ##STR3## and salts thereof, wherein n, R¹, R² and R³ are as defined in relation to formula (I).

n may be 2, 3 or 4 in formula (I).

More suitably n is 2 or 3 in respect of formula (I), but more suitably n is 2.

Certain favoured groups R¹ in respect of formula (I), include acetamido, amino, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, methoxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and trifluoromethyl. Preferred R¹ values include acetamido, amino and trifluoromethyl, in particular trifluoromethyl.

Certain favoured groups R² in respect of formula (I), include hydrogen, chlorine, methyl and iso-propyl. Preferred R² values include hydrogen.

Certain favoured groups R³ in respect of formula (I), include hydrogen, chlorine and methyl and iso-propyl. Preferred R³ values include hydrogen. Preferably R² and R³ are the same.

With respect to formula (II) R¹ is favourably amino, methyl, fluorine, iodine or trifluoromethyl. Favourably R² and R³ are the same and are each hydrogen or methyl.

Suitably n is 2 or 3, preferably 2.

Certain favoured compounds of the formula (II) thus include those of the formula (X): ##STR4## and salts thereof, wherein L is 4-aminophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-iodophenyl or 3-trifluoromethylphenyl.

Other favoured compounds include:

1-[3-(4-iodobenzenesulphonamido)propyl]pyrrolidine and

1-[3-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulphonamido)propyl]pyrrolidine,

and salts thereof.

With respect to formula (III) R¹ is favourably chlorine or trifluoromethyl preferably trifluoromethyl. Favourably R² and R³ are the same and are each hydrogen or chlorine, preferably hydrogen.

When R¹ is chlorine, n is preferably 3, and when R¹ is trifluoromethyl, n is preferably 2.

Certain favoured compounds of the formula (III) thus include 2,4-dimethyl-1-[3-(2,4,5-trichlorobenzenesulphonamido)propyl]pyrrolidine and salts thereof.

Certain preferred compounds include 2,4-dimethyl-1-[2-(3'-trifluoromethylbenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidine, and salts thereof.

With respect to formula (IV), R¹ is preferably trifluoromethyl. R² and R³ are preferably the same and are each hydrogen.

n is preferably 2.

Certain preferred compounds of the formula (IV) thus include 2,5-dimethyl-1-[2-(3-trifluoromethylbenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidine and salts thereof.

With respect to formula (V), R¹ is favourably trifluoromethyl. R² and R³ are favourably the same and are each hydrogen.

n is preferably 2.

Certain favoured compounds of the formula (VI) thus include N-[2-(4-acetamidobenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]morpholine and salts thereof.

With respect to formula (VII) R¹ is favourably chlorine, Favourably R² and R³ are the same and are each chlorine.

n is suitably 3.

Certain favoured compounds of the formula (VII) thus include 1-[2-(2,3,4-trichlorobenzenesulphonamido)-propyl]piperazine and salts thereof.

Compounds of the formulae (III) and (IV) and salts thereof are preferred, in particular their cis isomers.

Certain particularly preferred compounds of the formula (I) thus include those of the formulae (XI) and (XII): ##STR5## and salt thereof, wherein R¹ ₂ N is cis-2,4-dimethylpyrrolidyl and R² ₂ N is cis-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidyl.

It will of course be realised that when NR₂ in the compounds of the formula (I) is asymmetrically substituted by one methyl group, the NR₂ group has a chiral centre. Compounds of the formula (I) containing such NR₂ groups are the thus capable of existing in a number of stereoisomeric forms.

The invention extends to compositions containing any of the stereoisomeric forms including enantiomers of the compounds of the formula (I) and to mixtures thereof, including racemates. The different stereoisomeric forms may be separated one from the other by the usual methods, or any given isomer may be obtained by stereospecific or asymmetric synthesis.

The salts of the compounds of the formulae (I) to (XII) include acid addition salts and are preferably acid addition salts with pharmaceutically acceptable acids. Such acids may be inorganic or organic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, methanesulphonic, acetic, citric, lactic, tartaric, propionic, benzoic, fumaric and the like.

The salts of the compounds of the formulae (I), to (XII) also include pharmaceutically acceptable quaternary ammonium salts. Examples of such salts include such compounds quaternised by compounds such as R⁴ -Y wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, phenyl-C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₅₋₇ cycloalkyl, and Y is an anion of an acid. Suitable examples of R⁴ include methyl, ethyl and n- and iso-propyl; and benzyl and phenylethyl. Suitable examples of Y include the halides such as chloride, bromide and iodide.

Examples of salts also include pharmaceutically acceptable internal salts such as N-oxides.

The composition of this invention may be adapted for administration by mouth or by injection. Most suitably the composition will be in unit-dose form and such unit-doses will normally contain from 1 mg to 100 mg and more usually from 2 mg to 50 mg of the active agent.

These compositions may be administered 1 to 6 times daily or more usual 2 to 4 times daily in such manner that the daily dose for a 70 kg adult is about 1 mg to 250 mgs and more usually 50 mg to 200 mg, for example 10 mg to 75 mg. The compositions of this invention may be fabricated in conventional manner, for example they may be presented as tablets or capsules for oral administration or as dry powders sealed into ampoules for reconstitution with water or saline for injection. Tablets and capsules may contain carriers such as disintegrants, binders, lubricants, colorants and the like in conventional manner. They may therefore contain such agents as microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate and the like. Tablets may be prepared by conventional mixing and compressing operations and capsules may be prepared by conventional mixing and filling operations.

Certain compounds of this invention are novel. This invention therefore also provides compounds of formula (I) as hereinbefore defined except those wherein R¹ is a 2-methoxyl group, and 2,4-dimethyl-1-[2-(4-bromophenylsulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidine and 2,4-dimethyl-1-[2-(4-iodo phenylsulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidine.

Favoured and preferred compounds of this group include those so described under formulae (I) to (XII).

A group of compounds within the novel compounds of the formula (I) are those wherein R² and R³ are not both hydrogen.

Favoured compounds of this group include

1-[3-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulphonamido)propyl]pyrrolidine;

2,4-dimethyl-1-[3-(2,4,5-trichlorobenzenesulphonamido)propyl]pyrrolidine; and

4-methyl-1-[3-(2,3,4-trichlorobenzenesulphonamido)propyl]piperazine.

The invention in its relevant aspect extends to each of the stereoisomeric forms, including enantiomers, of the compounds of the formula (I) described above and to mixtures thereof, including racemates.

The medicinal use of 2,4-dimethyl-1-[2-(4-bromophenylsulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidine and 2,4-dimethyl-1[2-(4-iodophenylsulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidine is novel. Accordingly the present invention also provides these two compounds as antiarrhythmic agents.

The invention also provides a method of treatment or prophylaxis of cardiac arrhythmia in humans, comprising administering to the sufferer a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula (I).

The compounds of this invention and salts thereof may be prepared by the reaction of a compound of the formula (XIV):

    R.sub.2 N--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --NH.sub.2                     (XIII)

wherein R₂ and n are as defined in relation to formula (I) and a compound of the formula (XIV): ##STR6## or a chemical equivalent thereof, wherein R¹, R² and R³ are as defined in relation to formula (I); and optionally forming a salt of the resultant compound of the formula (1).

Chemical equivalents of the compounds of the formula (VII) include the corresponding bromide and iodide.

The preceding condensation reaction is generally effected at ambient temperature and normal pressure in a convenienct solvent such as benzene or toluene optionally in the presence of a base. Removal of the solvent, for example by evaporation, yields the initial crude product, which will generally be the desired compound as free or its salt depending on whether the reaction is carried out in the presence or absence of a base. The free basic product may be purified by crystallisation or chromatography; or a salt may be purified by crystallisation. If desired a salt may be converted into the free base by neutralisation and if desired the free base may be salified in conventional manner.

It will be realised that, in a compound of the formula (I), interconversion of suitable substituents R₁, R₂ or R₃ may be carried out by conventional methods after formation of a compound of the formula (I). By way of example an acetamido group may be converted to an amino group an alkoxyl or acetoxyl group may be converted to a hydroxyl group, a nitro group may be reduced to an amino group, by conventional methods. Accordingly it will be realised that compounds of the formula (I) containing the substituents R₁, R₂ or R₃ which is convertible to another R₁, R₂ or R₃ group respectively are useful intermediates and as such form as important aspect of the invention.

It will also be realised that salts of the compounds of the formula (I) which are not pharmaceutically acceptable may be useful as intermediates in the preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of the formula (I) or the compounds of the formula (I) themselves, and as such form an aspect of the present invention.

When NR₂ in the compounds of the formula (I) is substituted by two methyl groups, these may be mutually cis or trans about the NR₂ ring. A mixture of cis and trans isomers of the compound of the formula (I) may be synthesised non stereospecifically and the desired isomer separated conventionally therefrom, e.g. by chromatography; or alternatively the cis or trans isomer may if desired be synthesised from the corresponding cis or trans form of the compound of the formula (VI).

Cis- and trans-forms of the compound of the formula (VI) are either known as separate forms or may be separated conventionally e.g. by chromatography.

Racemates of compounds of the formula (I) wherein NR₂ is substituted by one or two methyl groups may be resolved conventionally, e.g. by salification with a chiral acid and separation of the resultant salts.

The following Examples illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLE I 1-[2-(4-Acetylaminobenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]-pyrrolidinium chloride (1)

4-Acetylaminobenzenesulphonylchloride (21.9 g) was added in portions to a solution of 1-(2-aminoethyl)-pyrrolidine (10.7 g, 0.9 mol) in water (250 ml). The mixture was stirred for 9 hours at room temperature. At the end of the reaction, the solution has pH 6-7. A portion of the mixture (165 ml) was removed and adjusted to pH 9,5. The precipitate from the mixture (4.9 g) was removed under suction and dissolved in ethyl acetate (170 ml). The solution was filtered and HCl gas was passed through. Precipitated chloride was isolated and recrystallised from absolute ethanol (350 ml) to give the product (27.2 g).

M.P. 220° C. yield=78% of theoretical.

C₁₄ H₂₁ N₃ O₃ S HCl, Mol.weight: 347,85.

Compounds No: (2) and (5) were prepared in the same manner (see Table 1).

EXAMPLE II 1-[2-(4-Aminobenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]-pyrrolidinium chloride (3)

(A) Conc. hydrochloric acid (20 ml) was added to 160 ml of the mixture obtained in Example 1. This solution was warmed on a boiling water bath for 5 hours. Thereafter the solution was neutralised with NaHCO₃, filtered and adjusted to pH 10. The sulphonamide separated as an oil and was extracted with diethylether (4×100 ml) from the alkaline medium. The combined extracts were dried over Na₂ SO₄ and the solvent was removed by distillation.

(B) The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and then HCl gas was passed through. Precipitated chloride was removed by suction and recrystallsed from isopropranol to give the product (10.3 g).

M.P. 216° C. Yield=75% of theoretical.

C₁₂ H₁₉ N₃ O₂ S HCl, Mol.weight: 305,84.

Compound (4) was prepared analogously to step (A) above and recrystallised from water.

Compound (6) was prepared analogously to steps (A) and (B) substituting fumaric acid (essentially 1 aq.) for HCl gas.

EXAMPLE III N-[2-(4-Acetylaminobenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]-morpholine (7)

A saturated solution of NaHCO₃ (50 ml) was added to N-(2-aminoethyl)morpholine (7.5 g, 0.05 mol) dissolved in chloroform (50 ml). Thereafter, 4-acetylaminobenzene-sulphonylchloride (12.3 g, 0.05 mol) was added in portions with vigorous stirring. The mixture was stirred for 3 days at room temperature (pH 8.5). The chloroform layer was separated with a separating funnel and the aqueous layer was extracted with chloroform (3×100 ml). The combined chloroform extracts were dried over Na₂ SO₄, and the chloroform was removed by evaporation.

The residue was recrystallised from the following:

1. ethyl acetate

2. ethyl acetate/diethylether (1:1)

M.P. 114,5°-115,5° C. Yield 29% of theoretical.

C₁₄ H₂₁ N₃ O₄ S Mol.weight: 327,46.

Compound No. (8) (see Table 1) was prepared analogously.

EXAMPLE IV 1-[3-(4-Methoxybenzenesulphonamido)propyl]-pyrrolidinium chloride (11)

4-Methoxybenzenesulphonylchloride (8.26 g, 0.04 mol) was added in portions with stirring to a solution of 1-(3-aminopropyl)-pyrrolidine (5.13 g, 0.04 mol) in 10% NaOH (100 ml), and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for the next 24 hours. Unreacted sulphonylchloride was filtered off, and the filtrate was adjusted to pH 9,8 with dilute HCl.

Oily sulphonamide, which sparated out, was extracted with diethyl ether (4×100 ml) from the alcoholic mixture. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (200 ml). HCl gas was passed through this solution. The resulting chloride was removed by suction, washed with ethyl acetate and recrystallized from isopropranol to give the product (6.0 g).

M.P. 159° C. Yield=45% of theoretical.

C₁₄ H₂₂ N₂ O₃ S.HCl.

Compounds No. (9), (10), (13), (14), (16) to (19) and (23) and

1-[2-(4-fluorobenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidinium chloride (15),

1-[2-(4-iodobenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidinium chloride (21),

1-[3-(4-iodobenzenesulphonamido)propylpyrrolidinium chloride (22),

1-[2-(3-trifluoromethylbenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidinium chloride,

cis-(27) and trans-(28) 2,5-dimethyl-1-[2-(3-trifluoromethylbenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidinium chloride, and

2,4-dimethyl-1-[2-(3-trifluoromethylbenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidinium chloride (29) (cis-, trans-mixture) were prepared analogously.

EXAMPLE V 2,4-Dimethyl-1-[3-(4-iodobenzenesulphonamido)propyl]pyrrolidine (20)

A solution of 2,4-dimethyl-1-(3-aminopropyl)pyrrolidine (4.7 g, 0.03 mol) in benzene (20 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of 4-iodobenzenesulphonylchloride (9.1 g, 0.03 mol) benzene (80 ml). After stirring the resulting mixture for six hours at room temperature, the reaction product separated as an oil. The reaction mixture was evaporated, and the residue was dissolved in absolute alcohol (800 ml) and boiled with charcoal.

The charcoal was filtered off, and the solution was diluted with water until precipitation occurred. The reaction product was evacuated, dissolved in dilute HCl and once more boiled with charcoal and filtered. The solution was made alkaline and the resulting precipitate of (20) was removed by suction.

M.P. 123° C., Yield=27% of theoretical.

Mol.weight 422,32.

Compounds No. (12), (24) and (30) were prepared in the same manner.

EXAMPLE VI 1-[3-(4-Carbethoxy-benzenesulphonamido)-propyl]pyrrolidinium chloride (25) (see Table 1)

1-[3-(4-Cyanobenzenesulphonamido)propyl]pyrrolidinium chloride (9 g) was boiled with 25% caustic soda solution (50 ml) for three hours. During cooling the resulting solid mass was acidified with conc. HCl (30 ml) and warmed briefly. Repeated cooling yielded a white precipitate, which was removed by suction and dried in vacuo, to yield 1-[3-(4-carboxylbenzenesulphonamido)propyl]pyrrolidinium chloride.

Dry 1-[3-(4-carboxy-benzenesulphonamido)-propyl]pyrrolidinium chloride (9 g), absolute alcohol (25 ml) and conc. H₂ SO₄ (0.3 ml) were boiled under reflux for 9 hours. Thereafter, the solvent was evaporated, and the residue was dissolved in water. The aqueous solution was adjusted to pH 10 with caustic soda solution and the resulting emulsion was extracted with chloroform (3×50 ml). The combined chloroform extracts were washed with water (50 ml), dried over Na₂ SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. The residue (8,6 g) was dissolved in ethyl acetate (150 ml), and HCl gas was passed through the solution. The resulting precipitate passed through the solution. The resulting precipitate was removed by suction and recrystallised from isopropanol.

M.P. 187° C. Yield=67% of theoretical.

C₁₆ H₂₄ N₂ O₄ S.HCl Mol.weight: 376,90.

EXAMPLE VII 2,4-Dimethyl-1-[3-(2,5-dichlorbenzenesulphonamido)propyl]-pyrrolidine (33) (see Table 2)

2,4-Dimethyl-1-(3-aminopropyl)pyrrolidine in (4.7 g, 0.03 mol) benzene (30 ml) was added dropwise at room temperature to a solution of 2,5-dichlorobenzenesulphonylchloride (7.3 g, 0.03 ml) in benzene (100 ml). Thereafter, the mixture was stirred for 4 days at room temperature until the reaction was complete. Finally, the reaction product was obtained as a viscous, oily paste. The benzene mother liquor was decanted. The residue was dissolved in water, the solution was adjusted to pH 9.8 with 10% NaOH and extractes with petroleum ether (40°-60°) (4×100 ml). The combined extracts were dried over Na₂ SO₄ and evaporated. The residue (5 g) was recrystallised twice from 100 ml petroleum ether to yield the product (3.7 g as white needles), m.p. 65°-67° C. Yield=67% of theoretical

EXAMPLE VIII 2,4-Dimethyl-1-[3-(2,4,5-trichlorobenzene-sulphonamido)propyl]-pyrrolidinium chloride (38)

Whilst stirring, a solution of 2,4-dimethyl-1-(3-aminopropyl)-pyrrolidine (4.67 g, 0.03 mol) benzene (20 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of 2,4,5-trichlorobenzenesulphonylchloride (8.4 g, 0.03 mol) benzene (80 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for a further eight hours at room temperature, whereby the reaction product (38) crystallised from the mixture. The precipitate was removed by suction and washed with benzene on the suction filter. The crude chloride was recrystallised from isopropanol (100 ml) to obtain the product (8.7 g).

M.p. 114°-116° C., Mol. Wt. 436,22 C₁₅ H₂₁ N₂ O₂ SCl₃.HCl.

Yield=67% of theoretical.

Compounds No. (32), (35), (37), (39), (40), (43), (45), (46), (50) and (53) and

4-methyl-1-[3-(2,3,4-trichlorobenzenesulphonamido)propyl]-1,4-diazoniacyclohexane dichloride (36) 3,5-dimethyl-1-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]piperidinium chloride (54) were prepared analogously.

Compound (51) was prepared substantially analogously, but the chloride was neutralised and the resultant free base treated with fumaric acid to give the fumarate (51).

EXAMPLE IX 2,4-Dimethyl-1-[3-(2,3,4-trichlorobenzene sulphonamido)propyl]-pyrrolidine (34) (see Table 2)

A solution of 2,4-dimethyl-1-(3-amino-propyl)pyrrolidine (9.3 g, 0.06 mol) benzene (50 ml) was added dropwise, whilst stirring, to a solution of 2,3,4-trichlorobenzenesulphonylchloride (17.6 g, 0.06 mol) benzene (200 ml). The mixture was stirred for a further 5 hours at room temperature, whereby the reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in water (250 ml). The aqueous solution was extracted with diethyl ether (2×50 ml) to remove unreacted sulphochloride. The aqueous solution was then adjusted with caustic soda solution to pH 9,8 and the alcoholic solution was extracted with diethyl ether (2×100 ml). The combined extracts were dried over Na₂ SO₄, and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was recrystallised from isopropanol (100 ml). The product (34) (9 g) was obtained. The filtrate was diluted with the same quantity of water to obtain a further 6,2 g of (34).

M.p. 73°-75° C., Mol. Wt. 399,76 C₁₅ H₂₁ N₃ O₂ SCl₃.

Yield=61% of theoretical

Compound (41) (see Table 2) was prepared analogously.

EXAMPLE X 2,4-Dimethyl-1-(2-β-tetrahydronaphthalene sulphonamido)ethyl-pyrrolidinium chloride (56) (see Table 3)

Whilst stirring, a solution of 2,4-dimethyl-1-(3-aminoethyl)-pyrrolidine (7.2 g, 0.05 mol) in benzene (20 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of β-tetrahydronaphthalene sulphochloride (11.5 g, 0.05 mol) in benzene (80 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for a further eight hours at room temperature, whereby the reaction product was recrystallized from the mixture as hydrochloride. The precipitate was removed by suction and washed with benzene on the suction filter. Crude hydrochloride was recrystallized from isopropanol (100 ml) to obtain the product (9.2 g).

M.p. 132°-134° C., Mol.Wt. 372.95 C₁₈ H₂₈ N₂ O₂ S.HCl.

Yield=49.4% of theoretical.

Compounds (42), (43), (45) to (47) (see Table 2) and (57) (see Table 3), and

2,6-dimethyl-1-[2-(3-trifluoromethylbenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]piperidinium chloride (31) and

1-[3-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulphonamido)propyl]pyrrolidinium chloride (44) (see Table 2)

were prepared analogously.

EXAMPLE XI Cis-(27) and trans-(28) 2,5-dimethyl-1-[2-(3-trifluoromethylbenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]pyrrolidinium chloride

2,5-dimethyl-1-(2-aminoethyl)-pyrrolidine (8,4 g, 0.05 mol) in toluene (20 ml) was added dropwise at room temperature to a solution of 3-trifluoromethylbenzenesulphomylchloride in toluene (180 ml). Thereafter the mixture was stirred for 6 hours. Finally the mixture was stirred with Na₂ CO₃ solution (6,15 g in 100 ml water). The toluene layer was separated off and dried over Na₂ SO₄, and the solvent was removed by distillation. The residue (15 g) was purified and separated into its isomeric components on silica gel (14 g) by elution with chloroform/methanol/cone ammonia (190:9:1)

fraction I 4,4 l--3-trifluoromethylbenzenesulphomylchloride

fraction II 550 ml--product A

fraction III 500 ml--mixture

fraction IV 2500 ml--product B

Fraction II: the solvent was removed by distillation and the residue (11 g) was dissolved in ethyl acetate (20 ml). HCl gas was passed through this solution. On cooling, the chloride crystallized out and was removed by suction. Yield 5,2 g (23% of theoretical) Mp 135° C.

Fraction IV: the solvent was removed by distillation and the residue (1,5 g) was dissolved in ethyl acetate, HCl gas was passed through this solution. The precipitate was removed by suction and recrystalized from isopropanol (30 ml). The chloride obtained (1,6 g, 10% of theoretical) had Mp 138° C.

Product A Mp 135° C. C₁₅ H₂₁ N₂ O₂ SF₃

NMR: 1,41 ppm (6H, d: J6,5 Hz, 2CH₃) cis-isomer (27)

Product B Mp 178° C. C₁₅ H₂₁ N₂ O₂ SF₃.HCl

NMR: 1,15 ppm 13H, d: J7 Hz, CH₃) trans-isomer (28) 1,34 ppm (3H, d: J6,5 Hz, CH₃)

Cis- (55) and trans- (54) 3,5-dimethyl-1-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulphonamido)ethyl]piperidinium chloride were prepared and separated in an analogues manner.

Product A Mp 175° C. C₁₉ H₂₆ N₂ O₂ S.HCl

NMR: 9,85 ppm (3H, d: J 5,5 Hz, CH₃) trans-isomer (54) 1,18 ppm (3H, d: J 7,5 Hz, CH₃)

Product B Mp 235° C. C₁₉ H₂₆ N₂ O₂ S.HCl

NMR: 9,89 ppm (6H, d: J 5,5 Hz, 2CH₃) cis-isomer (55)

EXAMPLE XII 1-[3-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulphonamido)-propyl]-2-methylpiperidinium chloride (48)

1-(3-aminopropyl)-2-methyl-piperidine (8,02 g, 0.05 mol) in benzene (50 ml) was added dropwise at room temperature to a solution of 2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulphochloride (11,05 g, 0.05 mol) in benzene (150 ml). Thereafter, the mixture was stirred for 8 hours, whereby the chloride reaction product precipitated from the mixture. The precipitate was removed by suction and washed with benzene on the suction filter. The crude chloride (18.2 g) was dissolved in water (100 ml). The aqueous solution was then adjusted with caustic soda solution to pH 9 and extracted with chloroform (2×100 ml). The combined extracts were dried over Na₂ SO₄, and solvent was removed by distillation. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (150 ml) and HCl gas was passed through this solution. The ethyl acetate was temoved by distillation and the residue was dissolved in hot isopropanol. After cooling to -6° C. crystallized chloride and was removed by suction.

Yield 9.7 g (5.1% of theoretical) Mp 153° C. C₁₈ H₃₀ N₂ O₂ S.HCl

Compounds (49), 52 and 53 were prepared in the same manner (see Table 2).

DESCRIPTION 1 Pharmacology of Compounds Test Procedure to Demonstrate Antiarrythmic Effects

Electrostimulation Test

According to the method by SZEKERES, L. and PAPP, G. J., (Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak, 245, 70 (1963), arrhythmias are induced in Guinea pigs by electostimulation of the right ventricle of the heart. The animals are anesthetized with Urethane (1.2 g/kg i.p.) and artificially respired before a needle electrode is inserted in the right ventricle of the heart. Substances are given intraduodenally 30 min before the stimulation. The voltage needed for induction of extrasystoles in control animals (n=6) is compared with that required for induction of arrhythmias in treated animals (n=6). The difference is statistically evaluated by the unpaired t-test (STUDENT).

This method was used to evaluate the compounds present invention. The results are shown in following Tables 1 to 3.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR7##                                                                                                            % increase                                                                     of voltage                                                                     electro                                                                        stimulation                                                                Yield                                                                              test dose                                                                  % of                                                                               32 mg/kg i.d.                            No.                                                                               A        n R.sub.1                                                                           R.sub.2                                                                               Salt Mp °C.                                                                       theory                                                                             (GP; n = 6)                              __________________________________________________________________________         ##STR8##                                                                               2 N  NHCOCH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  220 EtOH                                                                            22  21.4*                                    2                                                                                  ##STR9##                                                                               3 H  NHCOCH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  183 EtOH                                                                            28  14.3                                     3                                                                                  ##STR10##                                                                              2 H  NH.sub.2                                                                              HCl  216 IPA                                                                             23  36.2*                                    4                                                                                  ##STR11##                                                                              3 H  NH.sub.2                                                                              --   127 H.sub.2 O                                                                       28  24.1*                                    5                                                                                  ##STR12##                                                                              2 H  NHCOCH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  188.5                                                                               24.3                                                                               7.0                                      6                                                                                  ##STR13##                                                                              2 H  NH.sub.2                                                                              C.sub.4 H.sub.4 O.sub.4                                                             157-158                                                                             45.6                                                                               15.7                                     7                                                                                  ##STR14##                                                                              2 H  NHCOCH.sub.3                                                                          --   114.5-115                                                                           29.1                                                                               43.3*                                    8                                                                                  ##STR15##                                                                              3 H  NHCOCH.sub.3                                                                          --   97   63  14.3*                                    9                                                                                  ##STR16##                                                                              3 H  CH.sub.3                                                                              HCl  171 IPA                                                                             20  22.5*                                    10                                                                                 ##STR17##                                                                              2 H  OCH.sub.3                                                                             HCl  118 IPA                                                                             24  10.0*                                    11                                                                                 ##STR18##                                                                              3 H  OCH.sub.3                                                                             HCl  159 IPA                                                                             45  22.5*                                    12                                                                                 ##STR19##                                                                              3 H  OCH.sub.3                                                                             HCl  197 IPA                                                                             56  2.3                                      13                                                                                 ##STR20##                                                                              2 H  OCH.sub.3                                                                             HCl  186 IPA                                                                             34  4.6                                      14                                                                                 ##STR21##                                                                              3 H  OCH.sub.3                                                                             HCl  172 IPA                                                                             61  11.7                                     15                                                                                 ##STR22##                                                                              2 H  F      HCl  125 IPA                                                                             37  24.8*                                    16                                                                                 ##STR23##                                                                              2 H  Cl     HCl  136 EtOH                                                                            48.5                                                                               9.1                                      17                                                                                 ##STR24##                                                                              2 H  Cl     HCl  161 IPA                                                                             34  21.5*                                    18                                                                                 ##STR25##                                                                              3 H  Cl     HCl  210 IPA                                                                             34  19.6                                     19                                                                                 ##STR26##                                                                              2 H  Br     HCl  140-142 IPA                                                                         57  19.8*                                    20                                                                                 ##STR27##                                                                              3 H  I      --   123 H.sub.2 O                                                                       26  11.8*                                    21                                                                                 ##STR28##                                                                              2 H  I      HCl  175 IPA                                                                             30  30.9*                                    22                                                                                 ##STR29##                                                                              3 H  I      HCl  212 IPA                                                                             45  30.9*                                    23                                                                                 ##STR30##                                                                              3 H  I      HCl  204 IPA                                                                             38  19.7                                     24                                                                                 ##STR31##                                                                              3 H  SCH.sub.3                                                                             HCl  166 IPA                                                                             79  12.9*                                    25                                                                                 ##STR32##                                                                              3 H                                                                                  ##STR33##                                                                            HCl  183 IPA                                                                             67  16.92*                                   26                                                                                 ##STR34##                                                                              2 CF.sub.3                                                                          H      HCl  153 IPA                                                                             46  38.0*                                    27                                                                                 ##STR35##                                                                              2 CF.sub.3                                                                          H      HCl  135 IPA                                                                             23  60.2*                                    28                                                                                 ##STR36##                                                                              2 CF.sub.3                                                                          H      HCl  178  10  37.3*                                    29                                                                                 ##STR37##                                                                              2 CF.sub.3                                                                          H      HCl  124 EtOH                                                                            46  50.0*                                    30                                                                                 ##STR38##                                                                              2 CF.sub.3                                                                          H      HCl  219  47.3                                                                               1.3                                      31                                                                                 ##STR39##                                                                              2 CF.sub.3                                                                          H      HCl  129 EE/PE                                                                           51  31.8*                                    __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR40##                                                                                                                     % increase                                                                     of voltage                                                                     electro                                                                        stimulation                                                                Yield                                                                              test dose                      No.                                                                               A          n R.sub.1                                                                             R.sub.2                                                                            R.sub.3                                                                           R.sub.4                                                                           R.sub.5                                                                           Salt Mp °C.                                                                       %   32 mg/kg                       __________________________________________________________________________                                                     i.d.                           32                                                                                 ##STR41## 3 Cl   H   H  Cl H  HCl  203 IPA                                                                             33.9                                                                               7.5*                           33                                                                                 ##STR42## 3 Cl   H   H  Cl H  --   65- 67 PA                                                                           67  3.7                            34                                                                                 ##STR43## 3 Cl   Cl  Cl H  H  --   73- 75 IPA                                                                          61  18.75*                         35                                                                                 ##STR44## 3 Cl   Cl  Cl H  H  HCl  98 IPA                                                                              65.5                                                                               1.6                            36                                                                                 ##STR45## 3 Cl   Cl  Cl H  H  2HCl >280 71  25.8*                          37                                                                                 ##STR46## 2 Cl   H   Cl Cl H  HCl  191  68  14.8*                          38                                                                                 ##STR47## 3 Cl   H   Cl Cl H  HCl  114 IPA                                                                             66.5                                                                               28.9*                          39                                                                                 ##STR48## 2 Cl   H   Cl Cl H  HCl  128.5- 130 EtOH                                                                     52.6                                                                               11.3*                          40                                                                                 ##STR49## 3 Cl   H   Cl Cl H  HCl  195- 197 EtOH                                                                       50  13.9                           41                                                                                 ##STR50## 3 Cl   H   Cl Cl H  --   145 IPA                                                                             55  10.6                           42                                                                                 ##STR51## 3 Cl   H   Cl Cl H  HCl  161 IPA                                                                             63  20.0*                          43                                                                                 ##STR52## 3 Cl   H   Cl Cl H  HCl  291 EtOH                                                                            42  4.1                            44                                                                                 ##STR53## 3 CH.sub.3                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  201 IPA                                                                             74.5                                                                               24.8*                          45                                                                                 ##STR54## 2 CH.sub.3                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  153- 154 IPA                                                                        62.9                                                                               2.3                            46                                                                                 ##STR55## 3 i-pr H   i-pr                                                                              H  i-pr                                                                              HCl  217- 219 IPA                                                                        70.1                               47                                                                                 ##STR56## 3 i-pr H   i-pr                                                                              H  i-pr                                                                              HCl  224- 225 H.sub.2 O                                                                  43.5                                                                               17.9*                          48                                                                                 ##STR57## 3 CH.sub.3                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  153 IPA                                                                             57.1                                                                               6.0*                           49                                                                                 ##STR58## 3 CH.sub.3                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          2HCl 264 IPA                                                                             42.7                                                                               7.5*                           50                                                                                 ##STR59## 2 CH.sub.3                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  176- 177 EtOH                                                                       64.6                                                                               10.6*                          51                                                                                 ##STR60## 2 i-pr H   i-pr                                                                              H  i-pr                                                                              C.sub.4 H.sub.4 O.sub.4                                                             244- 245 EtOH                                                                       42.16                                                                              1.5                            52                                                                                 ##STR61## 3 CH.sub.3                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  191- 192 EtOH                                                                       52.5                                                                               1.15                           53                                                                                 ##STR62## 2 CH.sub.3                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  193 IPA                                                                             59  16.7*                          54                                                                                 ##STR63## 2 CH.sub.3                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  175 IPA                                                                             20                                 55                                                                                 ##STR64## 2 CH.sub.3                                                                            H   CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.3                                                                          HCl  236 EtOH                                                                            46                                 56                                                                                 ##STR65## 2                                                                                 ##STR66##                                                                              H  H     HCl  132- 134 IPA                                                                        49.4                                                                               7.46                           57                                                                                 ##STR67## 2                                                                                 ##STR68##                                                                              H  H     HCl  208- 210                                                                            56.5                                                                               7.8                            __________________________________________________________________________

Toxicity

No toxic effects were observed at the test dosages. 

I claim:
 1. A compound selected from the group consisting of sulfonamide of the formula: ##STR69## and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof whereinA is a cyclic amino radical selected from the group consisting of piperidino, 2-methylpiperidino and 2,4-dimethylpiperidino, n has a value of 2 or 3, and each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is hydrogen or chloro, at least two of R₂, R₃ and R₄ being chloro.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, whereinn is 3, R₂ and R₃ are chloro, and R₄ is hydrogen.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, whereinn is 3, R₂ is hydrogen, and R₃ and R₄ are chloro.
 4. A compound according to claim 1, wherein said sulfonamide is 2-methyl-1-[3-(2,4,5-trichlorobenzenesulfonamido)propyl]piperidine.
 5. The method of effecting an anti-arrhythmic response in humans and other animals, which comprises administering thereto an effective amount of a compound according to claim
 1. 6. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising an amount of a compound according to claim 1 sufficient to effect an anti-arrhythmic response in combination with a pharmaceutical carrier. 